Commas or semicolons worksheet 2 heres an awesome 20 problem comma and semicolon worksheet. As opposed to the comma, the semicolon principally separates related sentences. Study the rules for the use of the comma, the semicolon, and the colon. When in doubt, take the semicolon out and make two separate sentences. A colon is used to introduce lists of items, after the greeting of a business letter, and to separate hours and minutes in time expressions. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. In certain uses, this is a reasonably accurate definition. These nonessential clauses are called nonrestrictive.
Kathleen met her husband on december 5, 2003, in mill valley, california. You need a comma plus something to avoid a comma splice. Place semicolons between items in lists if some items the list include commas. My parents, who met each other in 1962, have been married for 50 years. Commas, colons, and semicolons commas are used to separate ideas, to set off special elements, and to set off quotations. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine whether you should use one are quite subtle. Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably. If semicolons can link independent clauses that would otherwise have a period or a conjunction between them, that means they can demonstrate contrast, too. Clauses which are essential are called restrictive. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas. Keep these three things in mind when you use a semicolon. For helping me finish this project, i would like to thank my parents, karl marx and god.
Both restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses may begin with a relative pronoun such as who, whom, whose, that, which. However, used correctly, the semicolon can bring both clarity and nuance to your writing. The main rule for these punctuation marks is to use them sparingly. Its useful to know that unlike a comma or a full stop, it is not necessary to use a semicolon. The space needed after these punctuation marks is proportioned automatically. For thousands of years the semicolons have endured the abuse. The washington monument, a massive obelisk, was completed in 1884. Comma, semicolon, and colon rules flashcards quizlet. Every main clause contains an independent subject and verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence. Or perhaps it is because these rarer forms of punctuation are rarely covered in elementary school grammar lessons. No apostrophe is needed because there is no ownership.
If any part of the date is omitted, leave out the comma. Semicolons the semicolon has three primary functions. Most commonly, the semicolon is used between two independent clauses i. My aunts lab is magnificent, but i have no desire to be a dog owner. Determine whether to use a comma, a semicolon, or no punctuation at all. Mary, who was 32 years old javier, who was 28 years old and ming, who was 17 years old. Link two closely related ideas that already have punctuation colon, dash, or comma in them example. Ideally, you should rephrase the sentence to avoid repeated words. Many companies make sugarfree soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.
Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas. If comma usage is one of the banes of your writing existence, then this handout is for you. Heres an awesome 20 problem comma and semicolon worksheet. How to use a semicolon punctuation english current. Depending on the circumstances, one of two different punctuation marks can be used between the independent clauses in a compound sentence. To separate items in a list that already has commas. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Commas 1 commas and semicolons these are some basic rules regarding commas and semicolons. Rules for finding and fixing comma splices and fused. Most often, you will hyphenate between two or more adjectives when they come before a noun and act as a single idea. Again, a semicolon can only join independent clauses or complete sentences. When to use connect two independent clauses with a semicolon to avoid a runon sentence or a comma splice biography tells us about the subject. Do not use semicolon with a conjunction words like. Also use the semicolon when you already have commas within a sentence for smaller separations, and you need the semicolon to show bigger separations. The rules about commas are straightforward and not difficult to learn. Punctuation 9 misuses of apostrophes do not use the apostrophe to form plurals. A semicolon isnt the only thing that can link two independent clauses. Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Spacing with punctuation periods commas semicolons colons question marks parentheses and brackets apostrophes hyphens dashes ellipses quotation marks exclamation points slashes. Student choose either a semicolon or comma to complete each sentence and then explain their choice. It is preceded by the incomplete idea believed to have been designed and constructed by greek scientists.
Find this semicolon worksheet on this page of punctuation worksheets. Even when the house looks clean, there is usually a bunch of dirt swept under the rug. They are problem sentences that contain two or more main clauses incorrectly joined together. Many writers are confused about when to use a semicolon and when to use a colon. Using a comma instead of a semicolon in the sentences above would result in a comma splice. Is the author thanking four peoplehis mother, his father, karl marx, and god. Use commas, not semicolons, after an independent clause it could stand alone as a full sentence joined with another independent clause by a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Use a semicolon instead of a period when the ideas in two independent clauses are very closely connected and you want readers to expect more.
Of all the punctuation marks in english, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. Determine whether each sentence needs a comma or semicolon. This office cannot accept your complaint, we have brought it before the appropriate. A semicolon is used to join two related sentences, each with balanced meaning. The comma has inspired not only reams of writing but also ongoing feuds between grammarians. Im providing you only with the information related to some of the most common errors i see in student writing. On december 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of sitting bull. The video also explains incorrect ways in which people mistakenly use these punctuation marks. Unlike a comma, a semicolon is a strong enough mark of punctuation to join two main clauses. Commas set off parenthetical elements such as an appositive, which is a noun phrase or clause that renames or describes the noun directly beside it, and nonrestrictive relative clauses.
Conjunctions thats your ands, buts, and ors can do that too. The first example should be joined by a comma, not a semicolon. Use commas to provide more clarity, not more confusion, especially between repeated words. Use the semicolon if you have two independent clauses connected without a conjunction. Basic rules for using commas and semicolons comma rules. Then explain why that punctuation mark best completes the sentence. How to use the semicolon there are three uses of the semicolon. Used to link two closely related ideas sentences used to indicate a pause, longer than a comma but shorter than a period. In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas. Rules for finding and fixing comma splices and fused sentences. Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. Semicolons join independent clauses and items in a series. A semicolon is a form of punctuation that sorts out complex lists or links complete clauses.
The semicolon is sometimes described as stronger than a comma but weaker than a period. The semicolon is possibly the most misunderstood and misused punctuation mark in english grammar. In each sentence, a popup box is placed where punctuation might be needed. Use a semicolon in the appropriate place to separate items in a list in the following sentences. When listing always put a comma between the adjectives and nouns. To connect two related independent clauses complete sentences in order to emphasize a relationship between the clauses. Rules for comma usage how can such a small symbol cause so much trouble. Use a comma before the conjunction and, for, but, or, nor, so that. Put a comma between every item that is listed, including the final comma before the and or but. Advanced comma rules the comma is an important organizational tool for the writer that ultimately helps the reader. If a plural noun does not end in s, add an apostrophe and s.
The conference has people who have come from moscow, idaho, springfield, california, alamo, tennessee, and other places as well. The writing center commas, semicolons, and colons guides. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same. Comma, use a comma after the first independent clause when you link two independent clauses with one of the following coordinating conjunctions. Define semicolon a punctuation mark represented by.
Semicolons and colonsprovides students with the correct punctuation rules for using colons and semicolons in their writing. Thus, the semicolon separates groups of words that could be complete sentences by themselves. There is only a verb, not a subject, so it cant stand on its own. Without commas, a reader would often have to go back and reread a sentence to understand what the writer meant. Semicolons and colons semicolons and colons intimidate many people because writers do not understand how these punctuation marks operate within the text. Perhaps this is because these punctuation marks are reserved for stylistic usage the basics of written english require only periods and commas. Our rule 1 of spacing with punctuation states, with a computer, use only one space following periods, commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks. Use commas to enclose clauses not essential to the meaning of a sentence. That something can either be the right conjunction or the period that turns a comma into a semicolon. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and after the year. Because of the rules and examples of each, students who view the video. The clauses because i was feeling unwell and if you want to.
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